Scoble gets to bottom of Verizon/MP3 snafu

Last week, I linked to an Engadget blog that claimed at least one Verizon Wireless' phone was defeating MP3 playback because Microsoft required it to. By way of Robert Scoble, here's part of the official word from Microsoft's Windows Media Team on that: It is absolutely untrue.

Last week, I linked to an Engadget blog that claimed at least one Verizon Wireless' phone was defeating MP3 playback because Microsoft required it to. By way of Robert Scoble, here's part of the official word from Microsoft's Windows Media Team on that:

It is absolutely untrue. Microsoft provided the technology for this deal only, and in no way placed restrictions on design or the use of other audio technologies as part of the deal.

Given my coverage of the digital restrictions management world here on Between the Lines, I couldn't let a report like Engadget's slide without linking to it and discussing the issue. But I had a feeling there was more to the story which is why I said things like "I haven't verified this" and "But disabling MP3? If it's true,.." I've updated that blog in case anybody finds it first without seeing the updated coverage.